Ruidoso's Chileo's is under new ownership

Although there was a language barrier to overcome for this story, good food and kindness is understood in any language.

Leo Garcia, who took ownership of Chileo's in mid-June and also is a pastor in Juárez, Chihuahua, said he plans to serve up both.

The familiar restaurant located at 26126 Highway 70 first opened 20 years ago. Garcia is bringing in his own authentic Mexican food recipes for Barbacoa, chile rellenos, red chile, menudo and mole sauce.

He said his recipes have a distinct southern Mexico influence, using the best cuts of meat for barbacoa labio and a chocolate base to give the mole a rich flavor.

Garcia also said his recipes blend the flavors of various regions of Mexico, like the red chile recipe's northern Mexico influence.

"I try to take the good food from different regions and blend it," he said.

For Garcia, the theme is based on creating recipes with a wide-ranging, rich flavor.

"I want to build the restaurant with good food," Garcia said. "When the business was offered to me, I said it was my opportunity to use my own recipes."

Before coming to Ruidoso, Garcia had been a cook at well-known El Paso restaurant, Julio's Cafe Corona, for five years.

Garcia said he is building the business "from the ground up" with the help of his employees Roshanda Acosta and Michael Bejarano. Together, the three keep the place open seven days a week.

While running a full-time business here, Garcia still finds time to travel to Juárez on weekends to pastor his church there.

He brings the care of a pastor back to Chileo's. Garcia said his goal isn't just to put together good recipes in the kitchen, but also to be a good person, using the restaurant as a vehicle to help others.

"If we leave this life a good person, the Lord is happy and the blessings come in," Garcia said.